Collapsible display rack for merchandise



Feb. 18, 1964 s. BROCHSTEIN 3,121,497

COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK FOR MERCHANDISE Filed April 17, 1963 JSQWQ6 M J L I 1 A? /5 32 BYWVM.

United States Patent 3,121,497 COLLAPSIBLE DESPLAY RACK FDR MERCHANDISE Isaac S. Brochstein, P1). Box 112, Houston 1, Tex. Filed Apr. 17, 1963, Ser. No. 273,651 4 Claims. (Cl. 211-178) The present invention relates to a collapsible display rack for merchandise.

Quite often it is desirable or necessary for a merchant to have readily available additional display facilities for displaying merchandise. It can be appreciated that stationary fixtures for display quite often take up a substantial amount of available floor space thereby requiring that such type display be kept in proportion to the flow of trafiic through a store as well as be kept in line with the overall interior design of the store.

The present invention is directed to a collapsible display rack for merchandise which is constructed so that when it is collapsed, it assumes a minimum of space and can be stored; however, when the display rack is unfolded and positioned for use, it is constructed and arranged so that it can provide a substantial amount of display area for merchandise.

An object of the present invention is to provide a display rack which may be positioned in any suitable location in a store and which may be collapsed and stored when not in use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible display rack including means for retaining the display rack in rigid relationship when it is unfolded so as to support merchandise thereon but which may be quickly and easily folded for storage.

Other objects and advantages or the present invention will become more readily apparent from a consideration of the following description and drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the display rack of the present invention in its unfolded position ready for use;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the device shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating in dotted line the manner of folding the components of the display rack for storage;

FIG. 3 is a top view showing the display rack folded or collapsed and ready for storage;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged detailed view partly in section showing the manner of pivotally supporting the end frame members and the support means extending therebetween with the means for interconnecting the end frame members and support means when the display rack is unfolded; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view partly in section showing the manner of supporting hanger rods on the display rack of the present invention.

Attention is first directed to FIG. 2 of the drawings wherein the present invention is referred to generally by the numeral 10. A pair of end frame members 11 and 12 are shown which may be of any suitable or desired width. Roller means as illustrated at 13 in FIG. 1 may be mounted on the lower end at each corner of the end frame members 11 and 12 whereby the display rack of the present invention may be wheeled about the store both in a collapsed position or in an unfolded position with merchandise thereon.

The end frame members are adapted to be supported in upright, opposed, and spaced relationship as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and to this end, a support means represented generally by the numeral 14 is provided for spanning between the end frame members 11 and 12 and retaining them in opposed upright position. The support means 14 includes the sections 15 and 16, which sections as shown in the drawings may be in the form of rectangles formed by any suitable means such as hollow square rods or the like H 3,121,497 Patented Feb. 18, 1964 that are joined together by welding or any other suitable means to form the rectangular sections 15 and 16.

It will be noted that the rectangular sections 15 and 16 extend longitudinally of the end frame members 11 and 12, and pivot means designated generally by the numeral 18 is provided for connecting the rectangular sections 15 and 16 to the end frame members 11 and 12.

The form of suitable pivot means 18 is shown in FIG. 4 of the drawings and is illustrated as including the angle bracket 19 which is secured by any suitable means such as screws 20 or the like to the cross frame member 21. The angle bracket 19 is provided with a pin 22, which pin may be secured to the angle 19 in any suitable manner such as by welding or the like and is adapted to engage in a suitable hole 23 formed in the sections 15 and 16 at each the upper and lower corner adjacent the end frame members 11 and 12. It will be noted that the sections 15 and 16 are connected in the middle of the end frame members 11 and 12 as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, and the pivot means 18 enables the end frame members to be swung about the sections 15 and 16 when the display rack is to be collapsed as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

The sections 15 and 16 are connected along their adjacent vertically extended edges 26 and 27 by any suitable means such as the piano hinge 28. The piano hinge 28 forms a pivot means between the two sections 15 and 16 to enable them to be rotated about the hinge and towards each other when the display rack is collapsed.

It can be appreciated that when the display rack is unfolded for receiving and displaying merchandise thereon, the components must be held in rigid relationship to prevent damage to the merchandise and in order to maintain the merchandise in a proper display relationship.

To accomplish this, suitable means as designated generally at 30 are provided for holding the sections 15 and 16 aligned longitudinally relative to each other when they are in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings. The means 30 includes the rod 31 which is adapted to slide in the hollow rods forming the rectangular sections 15 and 16 and across the piano hinge 28 so as to interconnect the sections 15 and 16 in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

It will be noted that a means 30 is provided at the top and at the bottom of each of the sections 15 and 16 whereby they may be rigidly interconnected as above noted. Each of the rods 31 is connected with a handle 32 that projects through the rod of the section 16 by means of a slot therein whereby the rod 32 may be moved across the piano hinge to engage in the hollow rod of the rectangular section 15 or may be withdrawn therefrom when the sections 15 and 16 are to be collapsed.

In order to rigidly connect each of the sections 15 and 16 with their adjacent end frames 12 and 11, respectively, suitable means as illustrated generally by the numeral 35 are provided, as shown in better detail in FIG. 4 of the drawings. Such means includes the generally U-shaped member 34 which is mounted on the crossbar 21 of each of the end frame members 11 and 12 by suitable means such as the hinge 36. The LJ-shaped member 34 is adapted to be swung down and over the top bar 16:: of the section 16 and the top bar 15a of the section 15, thus, rigidly interconnecting each of the sections 15 and 16 with their adjacent end frame members 11 and 12.

In order to support merchandise on the display rack 10 of the present invention, hanger rod means 411 are provided. It will be noted that two of such hanger rods are shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, such hanger rods extending between the end frame members 11 and 12 at each outer edge thereof. Suitable means are provided at each upper corner or edge of the end frame members 11 and 12 for enabling the hanger rod means 49 to be supported thereon after the display rack 10 has been unfolded. In FIG. 5, such means is shown as including the bracket 43 which is adapted to be secured to the vertically extending edges of each corner of the end frame members 11 and 12 by suitable means such as screws 44 secured to the base plate 45 of the bracket and into the vertically extending edge portion of each of the end frame members 11 and 12. Extending longitudinally from the base plate 45 of the bracket 43 is aprojection 46. The hanger rod means 41 comprises a hollow tubular member 41 which is provided at one end with a recessed portion to fit over base plate 45 and with a longitudinally extending out which terminates at 48 for receiving the extension 46 of the bracket means 43. integrally formed on the inner periphery of the hollow tubular member 41 is a radially inwardly extending portion 49 which is adapted to be received within the recess 50 formed in the projection 46 when the projection 46 is inserted in the end of the tubular member 41 as shown in FIG. of the drawings. Thus, the tubular members 41 are held in position on the display rack 16 of the present invention in a manner which enables them to be quickly and easily removed therefrom when desired.

It will be noted that the end frame members 11 and 12 extend upwardly above the sections 15 and 16 and that the tubular members 41 forming the hanger rods are adapted to be received at the upper corners of the end frame members 11 and 12 thereby spacing them above and laterally outwardly relative to the sections 15 and 16 extending between the opposed spaced end frame members 11 and 12.

While it is believed that the operation of the present invention is apparent from the foregoing description, to further amplify and describe, it will be assumed that the display rack is initially in the position illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawings. In this position, the sections and 16 have been rotated about the hinge 28 toward each other, and the end frame members 11 and 12 have also been rotated about their respective pivot means so as to be in close proximity and parallel to their respective sections 15 and 16. When the invention is thus collapsed, it may be wheeled from the storage place and be set up ready for use in a manner of moments. The sections 15 and 16 are initially swung around the piano hinge 28 so as to align them, whereupon the rods 31 are moved across the piano hinge at top and bottom thereof to lock the sections 15 and 16 in longitudinal alignment as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 of the drawings. Thereupon, the end frame members 11 and 12 may be rotated about their pivot means 18 and the U-shaped member 34, then swung downwardly to engage the arms 16a and 15a, respectively, whereupon the end frame members 11 and 12 are each held in rigid relationship to their adja cent sections 15 and 16.

Thereafter, the hanger rods 40 may be engaged with the brackets 43 positioned at each upper corner of the end frame members 11 and 12 and the merchandise then supported on the hanger rods 41 in any suitable manner such as on metal or wooden hangers.

After the display rack of the present invention has performed its function, it may be collapsed by reversing the procedure as outlined above, and in that event, will assume the position shown in FIG. 3 in its final collapsed position.

Broadly, the present invention relates to a display rack, and more particularly, to a display rack which can be quickly and easily unfolded for supporting a substantial amount of merchandise and which when not in use may be stored with a minimum of effort and requiring a minimum of storage space.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible display rack for displaying merchandise comprising,

(a) a pair of upright end frame members adapted to receive roller means on their lower ends,

(b) support means extending between and for retaining said end frame members in spaced relation,

(c) means pivotally securing said support means at each end to each of said frame members,

(11) bracket means pivotally mounted on each of said end frame members for engaging said support means to interlock said support means and end frame members together,

(0) said support means including two sections which are pivotally connected together whereby said support means may be folded by rotating said sections toward each other about said pivot connection,

(f) rod means slidably received in one of said sections and adapted to be moved across said pivot connection into the other of said sections to lock said sections together,

(g) hanger rod supports mounted in opposed relation on each of said end frame members, and

(h) a hanger rod positioned on said hanger rod supports whereby merchandise may be displayed by hanging from said hanger rod.

2. A display rack for merchandise which may be collapsed for storage comprising,

(a) a pair of upright end frame members adapted to receive roller means on their lower ends,

(Z2) support means extending longitudinally of and between said end frame member for retaining them in a spaced, opposed relation,

(0) said support means comprising two sections which are joined by a pivot means which enables said sections to be rotated about said pivot means toward each other to collapse the display rack and to be rotated about said pivot means to align said sections for spacing said end frame members in opposed relation,

(d) means slidably supported in one of said sections and movable across said pivot means into said other section to lock them in aligned relation,

(e) pivot means connecting each of said sections to an adjacent end frame member so that said end frame members may be rotated about said pivot when said sections are collapsed,

(1) means pivotally mounted on each of said end frame members and adapted to engage said adjacent section to lock said end frame member and section against rotation about said pivot means, and

(g) hanger rod means extending between said opposed end frame members for receiving and displaying merchandise.

3. A display rack for merchandise which may be collapsed for storage comprising,

'(a) a pair of upright end frame members adapted to receive roller means on their lower ends,

(1)) support means extending longitudinally of and between said end frame member for retaining them in a spaced, opposed relation,

(0) said support means comprising two sections which are joined by a pivot means which enables said sections to be rotated about said pivot means toward each other to collapse the display rack and to be rotated about said pivot means to align said sections for spacing said end frame members in opposed relation,

(d) means slidably supported in one of said sections and movable across said pivot means into said other section to lock them in aligned relation,

(e) pivot means connecting each of said sections to an adjacent end frame member so that said end frame members may be rotated about said pivot when said sections are collapsed,

(1) means pivotally mounted on each of said end frame members and adapted to engage said adjacent section to lock said end frame member and section against rotation about said pivot means,

(g) said last named means comprising a generally U- shaped member which is adapted to swing down over said sections and thereby interlock said end frame member and sections together, and

(h) hanger rod means extending between said opposed end frame members for receiving and displaying merchandise.

4. A display rack for merchandise which may be collapsed for storage comprising,

(a) a pair of upright end frame members adapted to receive roller means on their lower ends,

(b) support means extending longitudinally of and between said end frame member for retaining them in a spaced, opposed relation,

(0) said support means comprising two rectangular sections which are joined along a vertical edge by a pivot means which enables said sections to be rotated about said pivot means toward each other to collapse the display rack and to be rotated about said pivot means to align said sections for spacing said end frame members in opposed relation,

(d) means slidably supported in one of said sections and movable across said pivot means into said other section to lock them in aligned relation, 7

(e) pivot means connecting each of said sections to the adjacent end frame member so that said end frame members may be rotated about said pivot when said sections are collapsed,

(f) means pivotally mounted on each of said end frame members and adapted to engage said adjacent section to lock said end frame member and section against rotation about said pivot means,

(g) said last named means comprising a generally U shaped member which is adapted to swing down over said sections and thereby interlock said end frame member and sections together, and

(h) hanger rod means extending between said opposed end frame members for receiving and displaying merchandise.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,748,955 Anselmo June 5, 1956 2,852,145 SchOlZ Sept. 16, 1958 2,985,316 Ruhnke a- May 23, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,180,447 France Dec. 29, 1958 

1. A COLLAPSIBLE DISPLAY RACK FOR DISPLAYING MERCHANDISE COMPRISING, (A) A PAIR OF UPRIGHT END FRAME MEMBERS ADAPTED TO RECEIVE ROLLER MEANS ON THEIR LOWER ENDS, (B) SUPPORT MEANS EXTENDING BETWEEN AND FOR RETAINING SAID END FRAME MEMBERS IN SPACED RELATION, (C) MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURING SAID SUPPORT MEANS AT EACH END TO EACH OF SAID FRAME MEMBERS, (D) BRACKET MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON EACH OF SAID END FRAME MEMBERS FOR ENGAGING SAID SUPPORT MEANS TO INTERLOCK SAID SUPPORT MEANS AND END FRAME MEMBERS TOGETHER, (E) SAID SUPPORT MEANS INCLUDING TWO SECTIONS WHICH ARE PIVOTALLY CONNECTED TOGETHER WHEREBY SAID SUPPORT MEANS MAY BE FOLDED BY ROTATING SAID SECTIONS TOWARD EACH OTHER ABOUT SAID PIVOT CONNECTION, (F) ROD MEANS SLIDABLY RECEIVED IN ONE OF SAID SECTIONS AND ADAPTED TO BE MOVED ACROSS SAID PIVOT CONNECTION INTO THE OTHER OF SAID SECTIONS TO LOCK SAID SECTIONS TOGETHER, (G) HANGER ROD SUPPORTS MOUNTED IN OPPOSED RELATION ON EACH OF SAID END FRAME MEMBERS, AND (H) A HANGER ROD POSITIONED ON SAID HANGER ROD SUPPORTS WHEREBY MERCHANDISE MAY BE DISPLAYED BY HANGING FROM SAID HANGER ROD. 